Bottle capping machine



March 15, 1938. c. B. WEST BOTTLE CAPPING MACHI NE Filed Feb. 23, 1937 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 March 15, 1938. G. B. WEST BOTTLE CAPPING momma Filed Feb. 23, 1937 4 Sheets-Shet 2 (160119613. -Ws l! Sk m g March 15, 1938. G. B. WEST BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 23, 1957 IIIIIIII I I m w w March 15, 1938. 5 WEST 2,110,898

' BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Fild Feb. 23, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE George E. West,

San Antonio, Tex.

Application February 23, 1937, Serial No. 127,250

9 Claims.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a machine adapted to be used in ap. plying to a container, such as a bottle, a closure cap which requires to be applied under heat and pressure.

The invention aims to provlde a simple machine so made that it will be peculiarly attractive to a person having a small amount of capping to do, the machine being of an inexpensive nature.

The invention aims to provide novel means for heating the closure and applying it, to provide novel means for keeping moist the diaphragm by which the closure immediately is applied and, generally, to improve the construction of, and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, a bottle cap-ping machine constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away and parts being in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the opposite side of the machine from that depicted in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

:3 Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the air heater;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the pressure chamber when the parts are in inoperative position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the pressure mechanisminthe position which it will assume whilst the closure is being applied to the container; I

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the closure being applied to a container or bottle of different shape from that disclosed in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the closure being applied to a still different container;

Fig. 9 is a top plan of the abutment disk that is located in the pressure chamber;

Fig. 10 is a section taken through the threeway valve.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a support including a collar I from which extend diverging legs 2. A vertical hollow post 3 is capable of Iongitudinal adjustment in the collar l but is held fixedly therein by means of a set screw 4 threaded into the collar. The upper end of the hollow post 3 is received in a head block 5 (Fig. 2), and to one end of the head block 5 is secured the base 6 of a casing 'l. The head block 5 is adapted to be secured to the upper end of the post 3, by means to be described hereinafter.

A bracket 8 is secured to the top of head block 5, and in the bracket 8, a pulley 9 is journaled for rotation. A flexible element It is extended over the pulley 9. One end of the flexible element It passes downwardly through the hollow post 3 and is connected to the intermediate portion of a pedal ll, fulcrumed at I2 on one of the legs 2. The other end of the flexible element it extends downwardly, outside the hollow post 3, and is connected to a hook M on a tubular guide I5 mounted to slide vertically on the post 3, the guide I5 carrying a horizontal arm it provided with an opening I! in which is removably mounted a seat l8 having a depression l9 adapted to receive the lower end of the receptacle 2! which is to be capped. The upper end of a pull spring 2| is secured to the hook M on the guide I5, and the lower end of the pull spring is connected to a hook 22 on the post 3 below the guide [5.

The numeral 23 designates a horizontal platform, disposed between the head block 5 and the arm I 5, and nearer to the head block than to the arm. The platform 23 has a collar 24 receiving the post 3 and adapted to be connected securely thereto by a clamp screw 25 threaded into the collar 24.

The lower end of the casing 26 of an air heater is secured to the platform 23, and the upper portion of the casing is secured to the head block 5 or is formed integrally therewith.

Referring to Fig.4 in conjunction with Fig. 1, it will be observed that a cap 2'! of insulating material is mounted upon the upper end of the easing 26 of the air heater. The cap 21 carries a depending sleeve 23, extended downwardly within the casing 26. The numeral 29 marks a cupshaped housing mounted in the lower portion of the sleeve 28 and extended downwardly into the casing 26 of the air heater. An insulating disk 33 abuts against the under surface of the cap 21, within the sleeve 28. The insulating disk 33 carries a depending frusto-conical core 3|, extended downwardly into the housing 29.

About the core 31 is arranged a resistance element 32 connected to fingers 33 on the disk 30, the fingers extending upwardly through openings in the cap 21, as Fig. 4 will show. Superposed nuts 34 are threaded on the fingers 33, and, cooperating with the cap 21, hold the insulating block 30 and. the core 3| in the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

By means of terminals 36, the upper ends of the fingers 33 are attached to the intermediate portion of an insulating bridge 35 which, in its turn, is secured (Fig. 1) to the outer surface of the cap 21 of the casing 26. The terminals 36 are adapted to receive a plug connection 31 joined to a flexible sheath 38 within which are inclosed the conductors by which current is supp-lied. A detachable connection 39 (Fig. 1) may be interposed in the sheath 38 if desired. The sheath 38 is connected to a flexible sheath 49 carrying conductors, current to which is furnished by connecting means 4| (Fig. 1) on the end of the sheath 40.

Branched 011 from the sheath 46 is a flexible sheath 42 carrying conductors which lead to an electric motor 43 (Fig. 2) mounted in the casing 1. The motor circuit is controlled by a switch 84 preferably mounted on the base 5 of the motor casing 1.

The shaft of the electric motor 43 carries a suction and blower device 44, located within the casing 1, the casing being provided at one end (Fig. l) with openings 45, whereby air may enter the casing 1.

Air impelled by the suction and blower device 44 passes through a conduit 45 connected at one end to the motor casing 1, and connected at its opposite end to the casing 25 of the air heater, as shown in Fig. 4. A conduit 41 is connected at one end to the casing 25 and in the conduit 41 is interposed the casing 48 of a rotatable three-way valve 55, operated by a handle 5|, the casing 43 having an exhaust outlet 45. The conduit 41 leads to a T (Figs. 6, '7 and 8) marked by the numeral 52 and connected to the detachable cap 53 of a pressure casing 54 secured to the outer end of the arm or platform 23.

By means of a clamp ring 55, a resilient diaphragm 55, preferably made of rubber, is secured across the lower end of the casing 54 of the pressure chamber. A conduit for water or other cooling liquid is marked by the numeral 51 and is connected to the T 52. In the conduit 53, a cut on" valve 58, under the control of an operator, is interposed. At the outer end of the conduit 51 there is a reservoir 58 for liquid. The air pressure delivered to the casing 54 through the conduit 46, may be ascertained by a gauge 60, connected to the Casing 54 of the pressure chamber and located above the platform 23.

A mass of resilient spongy material, preferably rubber, marked by the numeral 61, is disposed within the casing 54 of the pressure chamber and is in abutment at its upper end with the cap 53 of the pressure chamber. The lower end of the mass 6| of spongy material is en.- gaged by a rigid disk 62, slidable in the casing 54 of the pressure chamber. The disk is shown in detail in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and is pro-- vided in its edges with notches 53, through which air under pressure can pass readily.

Horizontal guides 64 are secured to the opposite sides of the platform 23, and in the guides 64 reciprocate horizontally, depending hangers 65 connected at their lower ends to a carriage 66 supplied at its inner end with a stop 61. In its outer end, the carriage 66 has an opening 68 surrounded by an upstanding rim 69. The piece of material which is: to be applied to the container 2|] is marked by the numeral 10. The numeral 1| marks an abutment ring having an opening 12 adapted to receive the neck of the container 20.

In practical operation, the arm I6 is drawn downwardly by the action of the spring 2|. The operator places the container 25 in the concavity IQ of the seat I8 and places the abutment ring 1| about the neck of the container 20. The piece 10 of material to be applied to the upper end of the container 26 is. supported on the rim 69 of the carriage 66 and is placed in abutment with the stop 61, as shown in Fig. 1. The carriage 66 then is slid to the right in Fig. 1, until the piece 10 of material is above the container 20.

The operator places his foot on the pedal H and swings the pedal downwardly on its fulcrum I2, the flexible element N) then being caused to raise the arm l6, the spring 2| being expanded, and the guide l5 of the arm sliding upwardly on the post 3.

The container 2|] is raised until, as shown in Fig. 6, the abutment ring 1| is in contact with the resilient diaphragm 56, the carriage 66 having been retracted. The diaphragm 56 is carried upwardly in its central portion, but is sustained, around its central portion, by the abutment ring 1| .on the container 26. When the container 20 moves upwardly to the position of Fig. 6, the mass 6| of spongy material is pressed upwardly by the thrust of the container 26 and by the disk 62, the diaphragm 56 then being in the dot and dash position of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 1, the motor 43 operates the suction and pressure device 44, and the air is drawn into the motor casing, through the openings 45 of Fig. 1. The air is forced through the conduit 46 and passes into the easing 26 of the air heater. At this stage of the operation, the three-way valve 56 is not in the position of Fig. 10, but is in such a position that it will maintain the continuity of the conduit 41. The air is heated within the casing 26 of the heater of Fig. 4 and passes, under pressure, into the casing 54 of the pressure device, about the diaphragm 56, which, at this time, is in the dot and dash line position of Fig. 6. When pressure is created about the diaphragm 56, the diaphragm 56 is expanded closely about the neck of the container 20, and the piece 10 of material likewise is shaped closely and tightly about the mouth and neck of the container 20, as Fig. 6 will disclose. The piece of sealing material 1?! is subjected not only to pressure, but to heat as well, and will acquire a firm hold on the mouth and neck of the container 20.

The operator turns the three-way valve 5|] in the conduit 41, to the position shown in Fig. 10, and then an outlet for the pressure Within the casing 54 is provided, the exhaust occurring at 49. Pressure on the pedal H is relieved by the operator, the spring 2|, aided by gravity, restores the arm l6 and the container 26 to its lowered position, and the resilient spongy material 6| again resumes the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The operator at any time can open the valve 58, and then water or other liquid will flow from the reservoir 59 through the conduit 51, into the spongy material 6|. The material 6| is kept moist and the air that is applied under pressure to the diaphragm 56 is kept moist also. Because the diaphragm 56 is maintained in a moistened condition, it will not overheat, or dry out, and will maintain its resiliency and usefulness for a long period.

Figures 7 and 8 show that the machine may be used for applying closures to bottles differing considerably in form from the specific bottle shown at 20, attention being called to the bottle 13 of Fig. 7 and to the bottle 14 of Fig. 8.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a machine for capping containers, a support including a post, a laterally extended platform fixed to the post, mechanism carried by the platform for applying fluid pressure to the cap of a container, an arm mounted to reciprocate on the post, thereby to carry a container into and out of the field of operation of said mechanism, means under the control of an operator for actuating the arm, a motor carried by the support, means operated by the motor for producing air pressure, an air heater on the platform, a conduit leading from the means for producing air pressure to the heater, and a conduit leading from the air heater to said mechanism.

2. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1, in combination with means for closing the last-specified conduit against the delivery of air under pressure to said mechanism, and for exhausting said mechanism through the last-specified conduit.

3. In a machine for capping containers, a support including a post, a laterally extended platform fixed to the post, mechanism carried by the platform for applying fluid pressure to the cap of a container, an arm mounted to reciprocate on the post, thereby to carry a container into and out of the field of operation of said mechanism, means under the control of an operator for actuating the arm, an air heater on the platform, means for supplying air under pressure to the heater, a conduit leading from the air heater to said mechanism, and means for closing the conduit against the passage of air under pressure and for exhausting said mechanism through the conduit.

4. In a machine for capping containers, a support, a laterally extended platform constituting part of the support, mechanism carried by the platform for applying fluid pressure to the cap of a container, an arm mounted to reciprocate on the support, thereby to carry a container into and out of the field of operation of said mechanism, means under the control of an operator for actuating the arm, a motor carried by the support, means operated by the motor for producing air pressure, an air heater on the platform, a conduit leading from the means for producing air pressure to the heater, and the conduit leading from the air heater to said mechamsm,

5. In a machine for capping containers, a

support including a laterally extending platform, mechanism carried by the platform for applying fluid pressure to the cap of a container, an arm mounted to reciprocate on the support, thereby to carry a container into and out of the field of operation of said mechanism, means under the control of an operator for actuating the arm, a motor carried by the support, means operated by the motor for producing air pressure, an air heater on the platform, a conduit leading from the means for producing air pressure to the heater, a conduit leading from the air heater to said mechanism, and a carriage mounted to reciprocate on the platform and constituting means for interposing a capping piece between said mechanism and a container on the arm.

6. Mechanism for applying air pressure to a cap, to shape it about a container, comprising a member having a pressure chamber, a resilient diaphragm associated with said member, a mass of spongy material in the chamber, means for supplying air under pressure through the mass of spongy material and to the chamber, thereby to expand the diaphragm about a container when the diaphragm is distorted by contact with a container, and means for moistening the mass of spongy material.

7. Mechanism for applying air pressure to a cap, to shape it about a container, comprising a member having a pressure chamber, a resilient diaphragm associated with said member, a mass of spongy material in the chamber, means for supplying air under pressure through the mass of spongy material to the chamber, thereby to expand the diaphragm about a container when the diaphragm is distorted by contact with a container, a disk slidable in said member and interposed between the mass of spongy material and the diaphragm, the disk having an opening permitting the passage of air under pressure to the chamber and to the diaphragm, and means for moistening the mass of spongy material.

8. Mechanism for supplying air under pressure to a cap, to shape it about a container comprising a member having a pressure chamber, a resilient diaphragm associated with said member, a mass of spongy material in the chamber, a conduit supplying air under pressure through the mass of spongy material and to the chamber, thereby to expand the diaphragm about a container when the diaphragm is distorted by contact with a container, a source of liquid supply connected to the conduit and constituting a means for moistening the mass of spongy material, and a valve governing the flow of liquid to the conduit.

9. A device of the class described constructed as set forth in claim 8, in combination with means interposed in the conduit for closing the conduit against the passage of air under pressure and for exhausting the air pressure in the chamber, through the conduit.

GEORGE B. WEST. 

